VILLA PARK — State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is working to guarantee that vital taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly in Springfield.

Cullerton submitted a letter to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office asking them to place a hold on rent payments for a $2.4 million rental storage space in Springfield.

The comptroller’s office said Thursday it has placed on hold rent payments for warehouse space in Springfield that’s been criticized by state lawmakers.

“Governor Rauner’s attempt to shake up Springfield has turned into a shakedown of Illinois’ taxpayers,” Cullerton said. “The governor needs to quit cutting deals for his friends and focus on cutting waste, fraud and abuse in our state. Right now our schools are struggling to make ends meet, yet there are funds available to perpetuate what is clearly wasteful spending. We cannot afford this. This needs to be a stop right now.”

Cullerton and State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) sent a joint letter to the comptroller’s office requesting a record of rent payments and asking if there is any intention to make more.

The Department of Human Services moved documents from a closed state prison, which had little to no cost to taxpayers.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration had said that the prison building was in disrepair and the paperwork needed to be moved. But the state’s prison director told members of an Illinois Senate committee this week that he had no knowledge of this. He said he would try to get some answers.

“Renting another building for $2.4 million, when we have a usable state facility isn’t an effective or efficient use of state funds,” Cullerton said. “The more we learn about the leasing agreement the more alarming it becomes. I’m thankful we have the time to examine this further before we release valuable state dollars.”

The former Barney’s Furniture building is being leased from Chicago-based Climate Controlled Holdings LLC, which bought the building when Barney’s relocated. One of the owners of the company is William Cellini’s son-in-law.

Cellini, a politically connected businessman, served a time in prison after his conviction in 2011 of a failed attempt to shake down Oscar-winning film producer Thomas Rosenberg for a $1.5 million contribution to the campaign of currently imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“At the end of the day, the governor prioritized paper over people,” Cullerton said. “Governor Rauner needs to do his job and put our children, seniors, veterans and our most vulnerable over the interests of his friends. Now is the time to lead.”

Cullerton passed Senate Bill 867 to lower the cost to create a Limited Liability Company to $39 from $500.

“It should be easier for entrepreneurs to start and maintain their businesses,” Cullerton said. “Small businesses drive our economy. It’s important we give them an opportunity to thrive and be successful.”

The proposal also lowers the Series LLC filing fee from $750 to $59.

“The existing $500 fee is one of the highest in the country and is significantly higher than all our neighboring states,” Cullerton said. “Let’s remove the hurdles to ensure Illinois businesses can achieve entrepreneurial success.”

Senate Bill 867 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now moves to the House for debate.

SPRINGFIELD -- Questions have been raised about why taxpayers are paying $2.4 million for a state lease so state paperwork can be stored at a vacant furniture store in Springfield. The paperwork had been stored at a closed state prison at little to no cost to taxpayers. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration had said the prison building was in disrepair and the paperwork needed to be moved. But the state’s prison director told members of an Illinois Senate committee this week that he had no knowledge of this. He said he would try to get some answers.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) issued the following statement regarding the latest twist in this increasingly disturbing tale of how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent by the Rauner administration.

“This sounds like the worst episode of Prison Break ever. Not only would I not watch that it, I sure as heck wouldn’t pay for it, and neither should state taxpayers. The state deserves better than this. It’s like no one in the Rauner administration knows who’s running the place.”

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is continuing his work to raise awareness for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) in Illinois by designate October 9 of 2017 and 2018 as PANS, PANDAS and PITAND Awareness Day in the State of Illinois.

“Education is essential to early diagnosis of PANDAS,” said Cullerton. “No one wants to see children suffer. The faster we diagnose children affected by PANDAS, the quicker we can begin treatment.”

The little boy who once loved performing in talent shows and putting on skits was now scared of crowds and talking to his friends. There was an immediate change in his personality.

PANDAS is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome and other tics after a child has had a strep infection. Symptoms range from severe separation anxiety to motor tics that appear similar to seizures and hallucinations. The symptoms are severe enough to prevent children from attending school.

After two months of looking for answers, a doctor diagnosed Charlie with PANDAS.

After observing Charlie, his mother Kate Drury, Vice President of PANDAS/PANS Advocacy & Support, was quickly able to recognize her younger son had PANDAS when he displayed early symptoms.

Cullerton first became aware of PANDAS after meeting with the group formed by Drury and other mothers whose children have suffered from PANDAS. He pledges to continue to work to raise awareness and support to help children like Charlie.

“As a parent, it's so hard to watch your child completely deteriorate in front of your eyes. You go to the doctor, get a diagnosis, and then are unable to access the treatment that doctor prescribes. The biggest problem we continue to face is that our families cannot rely on their insurance plans to cover the doctor recommended, medically necessary care our children require,” said Wendy Nawara, Executive Director of PANDAS/PANS Advocacy & Support. “This treatment gives our kids their lives back. Why do we even haven health insurance if it won't help us help our children?”

Cullerton commends the advocacy the group continues to do on behalf of the children of Illinois. PANDAS can potentially be a lifelong disease that is estimated to affect nearly 175,000 children and adolescents in Illinois. It has even been found in adults.

Hiring Fair: Aug. 23

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